Rural riverside are restricted geographic areas with poor health care system. Limited data exist on the magnitude of dehydration and renal disorders in these areas. The present study sought to determine the prevalence and association patterns of dehydration, kidney injury and urinary tract infections (UTIs) among rural riverside populations in Bayelsa State. A cross sectional study design was employed. Socio-demographic data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Biomarkers for UTIs (leukocyturia and nitrituria), kidney injury (haematuria and proteinuria) and dehydration (specific gravity (> 1.020) and dark urine) were measured using dipstick and visual urinalysis. A total of 732 individuals [males: 343; females: 389; median age 39.5 years (15 – 64 years)], participated in the study. Prevalence of dehydration, kidney injury and UTIs were 80%, 6.3% and 79.1% respectively. Leukocyturia (67.9%) was the commonest, followed by specific gravity >1.020 (62.3%), dark urine (58.5%), nitrituria (51.6%), proteinuria (4%), and haematuria (2.1%). Kidney injury was associated with UTIs. Significant associations were found among the biomarkers (P < 0.05): Leukocyturia was associated with proteinuria and nitrituria, while specific gravity >1.020 was associated with dark urine and nitrituria. None of the urinary abnormalities were associated with marital status. Age 18 – 45 years was associated with dehydration. More males than females had leukocyturia, dark urine and dehydration. A high prevalence of dehydration and UTIs exist in rural riverside areas in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. A call for habitual water intake as well as UTI and kidney disorder interventions in rural riverside communities is implicated in this study.

Keywords : Dehydration; kidney injury; UTIs; rural riverside; Bayelsa State; Nigeria.